The first lean to conservatories served as cost effective greenhouses, and they can still serve this purpose today. Although people now use conservatories for many different home needs, including dining rooms, living rooms, and even kitchens, one of the most practical uses of a lean to conservatory is still indoor gardening.

All lean to conservatories, like all greenhouses, are designed to maximize the use of the suns energy. A lean to conservatory designed specifically for gardening should be made of mostly glass, including the ceiling. The most important factor in making an efficient conservatory is geographical orientation. In the northern hemisphere, an efficient conservatory must face south.

In the northern hemisphere, the sun is oriented in the southern sky for most of the year. In the summer, the sun will be higher in the sky, almost directly overhead, while in the winter, the sun will be lower in the sky, and it will always be in the south. A leant to style conservatory must always face south in order to most effectively utilize the sun’s rays. The sun’s strength is weakest in the winter, so having the conservatory open to all light from the south helps maximize efficiency. Also, the insulated northern wall, which is attached to the house, insulates against heat loss.

Many lean to conservatories have low brick walls that wrap around the base of the structure, which serves as insulation. A stone floor serves this purpose as well. Often times, planters for a greenhouse can be built directly into the walls. By doing this, the conservatory always retains some sort of greenhouse function, but the open floor space can be used for any other purpose.

Often times, carefully placed garden furniture can add a great touch to a greenhouse conservatory. Garden furniture, along with the stone floor and the presence of plants, can make the conservatory feel like an elaborate outdoor patio. The great thing about treating a conservatory like a patio is that, unlike true outdoor patios in many regions, a conservatory patio can be used all year long.

Indoor conservatories make fantastic indoor gardening areas as well as indoor patio areas. Conservatories are very versatile rooms that can truthfully be tailored to fit any purpose. Also, it is very easy to change the layout of a conservatory to fit the evolving needs of a household or family. Conservatories make a great addition to any home.